You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
HOW to modify gun into a BLANK firing only ???
- Thread starter Riss
- Start date
Revolvers require no work for conversion. Bolt actions and lever actions require the rounds to have a rounded, crimped case mouth. Semi-autos and full autos require rounded, crimped case mouths and a restriction in the barrel to trap the gas and cycle the action. That is about the extent of my knowledge in converting firearms to fire blanks.
Ben Swenson
New member
Riss,
If you want a real gun, buy a real gun. If you want a blank firing theatrical prop, buy a blank firing theatrical prop.
Do not try to modify either one to use as the other.
That said, there are some uses of blank guns that a real gun can fill in for.
You need to tell us what gun you want to modify and what you intend to use it for. After all, loading a shotgun shell up without shot will produce what could be used as a blank to scare birds away but would be very dangerous to use on stage.
If you want a real gun, buy a real gun. If you want a blank firing theatrical prop, buy a blank firing theatrical prop.
Do not try to modify either one to use as the other.
That said, there are some uses of blank guns that a real gun can fill in for.
You need to tell us what gun you want to modify and what you intend to use it for. After all, loading a shotgun shell up without shot will produce what could be used as a blank to scare birds away but would be very dangerous to use on stage.
Excuse my omission. Indeed I forgot to mention the intended gun. Was looking for ways to modify a Sten sub gun among others, mostly for re-enactment work, As long as no projectile can come out is ok. Use of the original caliber ammo in blanks would be fine. Shooter would be aware to not use and there would not be live ammo near the gun. Since the result of attempting to fire a loaded round would be disasterous to the shooter. Mainly the Sten or any semi or auto would be the main question because of the function and autoloading of the firearm. Should a restriction be placed near the chamber or at the end near the muzzle ?
Ben Swenson
New member
I've seen several methods of doing this.
One modification I saw (an open-bolt subgun mod) actually fed blanks backwards into a firing pin welded inside the barrel. I have a semi-auto 1911 style theatrical prop gun (simple blow-back) that has a solid barrel with a ventilated chamber to allow some pressure and flash to escape during ignition. Many military firearms have blank firing adapters that you can buy (basically devices that screw on to the end of the gun to seal the barrel partially/completely to allow enough pressure to make the action to cycle). I've seen M1 Garands and M14s with specialized barrels designed to act as blank only rifles for cerimonial purposes (basically, a built in blank firing adapter).
For instance, a direct-blowback firearm in a pistol caliber (such as the Sten) could probably be made to work well with a restriction near the chamber. A gun like the M16 would either need to be converted to blow-back in the blank conversion process or would have to have the restriction somewhere forward of the front sight block.
If you are an accomplished gunsmith, modifying a barrel (and probably the magazines as well) to work for a blank gun shouldn't be too difficult. Otherwise, I recommend you purchase a purpose-built gun.
One modification I saw (an open-bolt subgun mod) actually fed blanks backwards into a firing pin welded inside the barrel. I have a semi-auto 1911 style theatrical prop gun (simple blow-back) that has a solid barrel with a ventilated chamber to allow some pressure and flash to escape during ignition. Many military firearms have blank firing adapters that you can buy (basically devices that screw on to the end of the gun to seal the barrel partially/completely to allow enough pressure to make the action to cycle). I've seen M1 Garands and M14s with specialized barrels designed to act as blank only rifles for cerimonial purposes (basically, a built in blank firing adapter).
This really depends on the design of the gun and the blank to be used.Should a restriction be placed near the chamber or at the end near the muzzle ?
For instance, a direct-blowback firearm in a pistol caliber (such as the Sten) could probably be made to work well with a restriction near the chamber. A gun like the M16 would either need to be converted to blow-back in the blank conversion process or would have to have the restriction somewhere forward of the front sight block.
If you are an accomplished gunsmith, modifying a barrel (and probably the magazines as well) to work for a blank gun shouldn't be too difficult. Otherwise, I recommend you purchase a purpose-built gun.
AK-47 has a screw on blank firing devive, its a smaller hole so the bolt will operate, most military weapons have some screw on or
use bayo-lug to attach blank firing device,I thought Sten used a different barrell, with a smaller bore to fire blanks, smaller bore
ups the pressure to blow bolt back, if you stick a cartridge with a
bullet, it would be a one shot deal.
use bayo-lug to attach blank firing device,I thought Sten used a different barrell, with a smaller bore to fire blanks, smaller bore
ups the pressure to blow bolt back, if you stick a cartridge with a
bullet, it would be a one shot deal.
There may be a bigger concern. Who told you that if a machinegun fired only blanks it was legal? AFAIK, if it is or ever was a machinegun, even totally deactivated, it must be registered or it is illegal to own.
Making a full auto blank gun from a kit would likewise be illegal, as would making a semi-auto (blank or not) that fires from an open bolt.
BTW, as a general rule, blank guns are best made with no hole at all in the front of the barrel and an opening in the top well back from the muzzle. This protects against someone placing the blank gun to his head and pulling the trigger, which will seriously disrupt his brains shortly thereafter.
Yes, I know about movie guns, but the companies that rent them out have all the licenses and papers needed, plus most guns (especially machineguns) in the movies today are dummies. Some fire propane gas, but others are pure dummies and the sound and flash are added to the movie by the "magic" boys in the back room.
Jim
Making a full auto blank gun from a kit would likewise be illegal, as would making a semi-auto (blank or not) that fires from an open bolt.
BTW, as a general rule, blank guns are best made with no hole at all in the front of the barrel and an opening in the top well back from the muzzle. This protects against someone placing the blank gun to his head and pulling the trigger, which will seriously disrupt his brains shortly thereafter.
Yes, I know about movie guns, but the companies that rent them out have all the licenses and papers needed, plus most guns (especially machineguns) in the movies today are dummies. Some fire propane gas, but others are pure dummies and the sound and flash are added to the movie by the "magic" boys in the back room.
Jim